Canadian Involvement in Afghan War Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Canadian Involvement in Afghan War - Essay Example Each participating nation has contributed on both levels to the overall battle. When it comes to a public relations standpoint, it has left many wondering when, if ever, the needs of back home will be attended to. Things such as health care for those who need it, funding education, taking care of roads that need repaving, etc. Many have argued that, while the intent of riding the world of terrorism is an understandable cause, the amount of time and energy spent on the issue, could very well be allocated elsewhere as well. In such areas that are desperately seeking an assistance from the necessary state and federal agencies and if they don't receive such assistance, may run the risk of falling by the waste side. An example of such a country with real economic concerns for their citizens and the desire to investigate the expenditures given to the war in Afghanistan, would be Canada. America's neighbor to the north but a neighbor that has issues at home that are just as important to them, as American and other countries issues are to them. Just as the case is for other nations that are faced with the issue of assisting with the war on terror, such as combat issues in Afghanistan, Canada too has been faced with the dilemma of deciding how best to proceed. In regards to Canadian intent, "At the Conservatives' behest, Parliament voted in March 2008 to end Canada's military role in Afghanistan in 2011," (Annis, p.1). A clear indicator of the desire amongst many to return the attention of the Canadian government back to where most feel it should be. That is, handling the many issues within its borders that average Canadian citizens feel remain un-noticed, all the while, the economy of the country remains locked into the impending cost assessments of its continued involvement in the war effort. From a more human level, "The war is going terribly wrong for Ottawa by any measure. Thousands of Afghans have died or suffered injury. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, have been displaced, forced into exile and otherwise lost their livelihoods," (Annis, p.1). Such an assessment, would serve to bring into focus the cost of continued involvement with the war, that can easily be overlooked. That is, the cost to the lives of those who are faced with the continued responsibility, on whatever level, of maintaining the present action in Afghanistan and forgoing anything else. From a standpoint of economics, the GDP (or Gross Domestic Product) of a nation, affirms its strength as a producing country. According to the U.S. State Department, the following are figures in regards to Canada's GDP which come from 2007. In the section under economy, they are: GDP(2007): 1.266 trillion Real GDP growth rate (2007): 2.7% Per capita GDP (2007): $38,435. (Background Note, p.1). Economically speaking, the citizens of Canada have real and pressing needs to be met that would be assisted by the re-direction of funds back to aiding the funding of those programs and services. Keeping education funding at the level at which it would need to be in order to best serve Canadian students, would better be met by the re-allocation of funds that are presently being spent on military operations in Afghanistan. From a standpoint